Fire Departments of Maryland's Eastern Shore | Willards Volunteer Fire Company

"The Willards Vol. Fire Co. was established in 1927 by a small group of townsmen led by Everett (E.B.) Fuller. A 1924 American LaFrance Chemical truck was donated to the men and was housed in a small garage next door to Mr. Fuller. It is not clear who donated the truck. In 1929 the group officially chartered with Mr. Fuller elected as the Chief and President." This is a small snippet of their history taken from the WVFC website.

In the spring of 2016 I'd passed by and taken these few photos. Would love to get a chance to talk with some of the members and hear some of the stories and history of the fire company, but as with many local departments it's not always easy to find someone with the time to chat with me.

Girdletree Volunteer Fire Company | Worcester County, Maryland

The Girdletree Volunteer Fire Company on Maryland's eastern shore has been serving their community since 1953. I love fire trucks and emergency vehicles for their colors, details, lettering and unique logos, but the story behind the building and vehicles is what I dig down for. And I wasn't disappointed this time, as mentioned on their website this particular department still has three of the original charter members.

Time Capsule on Wheels | A '66 Mack Fire Engine

It's crazy, how I don't even have a gig doing fire and emergency vehicles - and yet for years they have been my favorite thing to photograph. I spotted this truck resting quietly in a corner of the Ocean City convention center during the annual Maryland Firefighters Convention. It wasn't front and center as were the new pieces of gleaming apparatus and the freshly detailed latest rescue rigs, but I'd sure love to know it's story. "1966 C-95 Mack, owned by Sean Space of Baltimore, Maryland" read the plaque fixed on the side just above an antique ax. "Zelienople 3 Fire Department" was painted on the doors in gold, and across the front of the engine as well.

This truck rolled off an assembly line somewhere several years before I was born and I can't begin to image the places it's been and the lives it has saved. I can't help but wonder who the owner is; someone connected to that fire department perhaps; maybe the son of a member from years ago; or could it be just a collector who fell under the spell of this vintage time capsule on wheels?

1965 Ford F-100 Flareside by Altered Art: "A Truck With A Story"

A beautifully restored '65 Ford truck with a great story. Scroll down to see the photos and then read the entire history of this vehicle.

For me, it was this story that made is something special.

1965 - In 1965, the Twin I-Beam front suspension was introduced with coil springs. It was offered only on light-duty two-wheel-drive F-Series pickup trucks, giving them a softer ride and better handling characteristics.

The 1965 and 1966 trucks have a "TWIN I-BEAM" emblem on the front fender. Source: http://www.blueovaltrucks.com/resources/f-series_history.htm

"A different view of color, contrast and perspective"

“Flags for Heroes” Project in Salisbury, Maryland

During a hectic day last week I drove down Route 50 on Maryland's eastern shore and was greeted by the sight of a beautiful, vibrant display of color. I'd heard about this - matter of fact we'd sponsored one of the flags here - but actually seeing it in person just took my breath away. The "Field of Honor" was truly impressive and breath-taking; I pulled over and spent the next half hour just walking and looking and in a silent way, remembering those lost in the name of freedom. To walk from one end of the area to the other didn't appear far, but once you were there, moving amidst a sea of red, white and blue, the reason for these banners and the lives they represented began to sink in.

The project was organized and operated by the "Flags 4 Heroes of Wicomico County Rotary Clubs", a partnership between the Sunrise Rotary, Salisbury Rotary and Wicomico Rotary clubs.

Flags were able to be sponsored for $50 and the proceeds benefit local organizations such as Operation We Care. Not only is it a remembrance of those we lost in the name of freedom, it is a reminder to never forget the sacrifices made by so many.

Links to the local organizations which
made this possible and news articles:

Sunrise Rotary Club
https://www.facebook.com/SunriseRotarySalisbury/

Salisbury Rotary Club
https://www.facebook.com/Rotarysalisbury

Flags 4 Heroes Wicomico County Rotary Clubs
http://www.flags4heroes.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/Flags4HeroesWicomico/

Article from the Salisbury Independent newspaper
http://salisburyindependent.net/living/rotary-flags-hereos/

Story covered by tv channel WMDT
http://m.wmdt.com/news/Local-Rotary-Club-s-team-up-for-Memorial-Day-tribute/39768766

Visit the Rotary Club of Salisbury, Maryland for a message regarding this project and more on what they do.

Updated story on July 20th: Flags For Heroes raises $4,500 for Operation We Care

"Our flag does not fly because the wind

blows it; it flies with the last breath of

every soldier who died protecting it."

Album on Altered Art's Facebook page
Flickr Album  https://flic.kr/s/aHskxAJzt5

"Altered Art ~ a different look at color, contrast and perspective"

Fire Departments of Maryland's Eastern Shore | Parsonsburg Volunteer Fire Company

A few months ago on a sunny but cold winter's day I drove home from Salisbury and passed the Parsonsburg Fire Company. Located in Wicomico County on Maryland's eastern shore, Station 6 sits directly on Old Ocean City Road, just a mile or two south of the original fire house. There is something quietly mournful about a flag at half-mast and so I took a photo of this first. The lowered flags marked the sad occasion of two lives lost just days before, as two Harford County Sheriff's Deputies died in the line of duty.

Delaware Fire Departments | the Georgetown Volunteer Fire Company

On the second Saturday of May, I was headed north for a much-anticipated date with Delaware history. I'd been looking forward to enjoying the the buildings which were open for the Georgetown "Stamp Tour" when my plans derailed (see the post here). Later that day I was standing in the Circle photographing the regal Courthouse building when I happened to glance down one of the side streets - and there it was - a gem of a fire engine, sitting all alone in front of the station, obviously just waiting for me to come over and visit. I scurried over and was please to note that the front doors of the station were closed and that no one else was busy checking out this vintage vehicle. For me, that's a good thing since I hate to take pictures with others around. Not always possible of course, but if there's a chance to take the kind of views I prefer, then being alone is a bonus. Here are a few views of the exterior of the building.